To the Picture of the Year
by S. Christiane Jungo, Ingenbohl
Mustair, the birthplace of Fr. Theodosius, is world-famous. Since 1983 its church and the monastery of St. John have been mentioned in UNESCO'S register of cultural heritage. The Carolingian church with its three apses and its unique murals are of world rank. The monastery stands as a witness to a climax of Christianity after the year 800 A.D.
From the monastery complex we get a view of the village school. On the length of its windowless wall we see a a relief with two round graffiti, depicting Fr. Theodosius with his pilgrim's staff, shoulder bag and rosary. His facial expression speaks of determination, while his gaze reaches far beyond the village. This is how its most famous citizen lives on in the memory of the present inhabitants. The Capuchin is framed by two medallions: school and works of charity, symbolized by a sister of Menzingen engaged in teaching, and a sister of Ingenbohl, caring for a needy person. This painting was created by Fr. Hildebrand Bernet OSB of Disentis.
In front of this place is the Theodosius fountain, put up in 1998 by the ecclesial and civil admininstration of Mustair, on the occasion of Theodosius' 190th birthday. An artist of Southern Tyrol fashioned in stone what he found most remarkable in Fr. Theodosius: a man who received much and gave much. Hardly had he started a work in one place when he moved on and engaged himself elsewhere. He responded concretely to the whole range of questions and problems of his time. Alive like the water, he used his time. May something of his fundamental inspiration and his charism continue to flow within us like a fountain. (Charism Booklet, Drawing from the Source, pg 14-16, 31-34) Near the fountain - not visible on the picture - there is a sign, giving information both in the German and the Romansh language about his most important bio-data and fields of activity.
Mustair has around 800 inhabitants. As at the time of Fr. Theodosius, people speak mostly Romansh. Locals greet each other with "Allegra" - rejoice! This salutation is so surprising that many visitors adopt it. Whoever wants to say thank you, does this by saying, "Gratia fich!" (pronounced fitch) "Theodosius" means "Gift of God" - and he was for us! So let us say "Grazia fich" and "Allegra!"